As subtle as the outside changes are, inside, it is more of a significant change. It gets a new Virtual Cockpit-style configurable digital instrument cluster and central infotainment system that can be controlled with gesture control. The screen is crisp and clear but it has lost the useful physical buttons and rotary knobs that surrounded it - it’s a step forward in terms of technology, but it may not be ergonomically. After all, it’s simpler to reach out and touch a physical button while you’re driving than grabbing at a specific part of a glossy screen that’s indistinguishable by touch.

Start the engine and an aggressive engine note ignites - albeit artificially enhanced - ready to be coaxed into a guttural growl or recede into the background on a motorway cruise. Although not natural, it does sound suitably yobbish and an Akropovic exhaust option can be ticked for even more throatiness.

On the move, the engine is responsive and free-revving, and the performance is nothing short of rapid, zinging along up to and beyond motorway speeds with minimal effort. It even returns fairly palatable fuel economy. For peace of mind to go with the pace, plenty of standard safety equipment features too, such as adaptive cruise control, predictive pedestrian protection and city emergency braking.

Happily, the R's chassis is never overwhelmed by the performance on offer, displaying poise, genuine adjustability and unrelenting grip, thanks to the standard all-wheel drive setup. Its steering is quick but it’s responsive and offers a confidence-inspiring amount of feel, while the all-wheel drive system pushes power towards its rear wheels when the front begins to struggle to fend off understeer. The ride is on the firm side, but not uncomfortable and you can add Adaptive Chassis Control to bring yet more versatility to the car.

If there’s perhaps one thing missing from the Golf R, it’s perhaps a bit of a soul - some quirky character. It is, after all, a Golf, not a car that will cause you to go misty-eyed at its styling, nor turn many heads on the street. But, as you blast your way through each and every journey soaking in its well-rounded brilliance, it’s unlikely you’ll care.

Should I buy one?

Yes, you should. Very few cars offer this kind of sophisticated all-round package, with brutal performance and everyday usability and, to top it all, a digestible price tag. To call it an astonishing all-rounder might sound like damning it with faint praise, but it really isn’t. It has the dynamic qualities of sports cars that cost many times more, and it’s as practical as, er, a Golf.

When you are older you may if you are lucky be intellectually sufficiently mature to recognise that there are views other than yours, and that to describe another's views as 'fixed in concrete / ill informed', because they do not align with your opinion, actually says much more about you than it does about me. Now grow up.

When you are older you may if you are lucky be intellectually sufficiently mature to recognise that there are views other than yours, and that to describe another's views as 'fixed in concrete / ill informed', because they do not align with your opinion, actually says much more about you than it does about me. Now grow up.

Just to push you and repeat vrs' question: have you actually driven one? In other words, are you opinions not only different but genuinely ill-informed? So, have you driven one?

When you are older you may if you are lucky be intellectually sufficiently mature to recognise that there are views other than yours, and that to describe another's views as 'fixed in concrete / ill informed', because they do not align with your opinion, actually says much more about you than it does about me. Now grow up.

Wow, I created an account just so I could say that this is one of the most horrendously condescending and unnecessary things I've read on the internet in a while. You sound like an absolute tool. It's ridiculous that you should stand behind maturity and intellect, then completely fail to justify your point on any logical terms. You need to grow up, badly, because most 6 year olds can make better arguments than 'when you're as good as me you'll understand'.

You made a blanket and totally un-explained statement, someone called you on it, and then rather than justify what you said so that we could all better understand your point, you doubled down on the total lack of justification.

How about next time you have something to say, you justify your point, so it adds to the discussion rather than being unnecessarily insulting to everyone who comes here to actually read and talk about cars.

All Golfs are dull, or this Golf R is dull in all aspects? Everything made by VW is bad?
Like contemporary politics, it's easy to invent an enemy, to identify an object of derision, in order to vent your hate & anger. I certainly don't want to live in such a binary & simplistic world.

After nearly 3 years of ownership with the MK7 Golf R I can confirm that the car is devastatingly quick across ground, especially in the wet, comfortable around town and on longer journeys with plenty of kit such as adaptive cruise control. Everything works and sounds new despite many miles and 3 years of hard use. Nothing has gone wrong, fallen off and even things such as insurance are relatively cheap considering sub 5 second 0-60...

I've looked at other makes/brands for a replacement but cannot find one that gives sure-footed all wheel drive, performance, quality and comfort for the price. You can park it and not worry that it will be keyed or missing upon your return.